LMAO-got off the phone with college advisor....

[sandybobandy]

Short backstory:
I'm going to be going back to school and *hopefully* participating in Fall '09 program. I'm going to be going to a community college and didn't know if they have any special requirements other than what Disney requires.

The message I got was something like this:

Yeah...umm...hi Sandy this is Ken calling from *insert school name here*. I don't have much information recarding the college program. We have had previous students participate before and they really didn't like it. However, if it's something you'd like to pursue, then please let me know and I'll see what I can help you with.

I appreciate his honesty but couldn't help but laugh. I think I will decide for myself, thank you very much!

 

[crimsontide27]

At least he was honest about it. Your overall satisfaction or dissatisfaction on the college program really all depends on what you want to get out of it.

If you are looking for a break from school and a fun 4-8 month experience with 1000s others like you, it is an excellant program.

If you are looking for career opportunities and a chance to advance within the company and make a living for yourself, you will be disappointed.

 

[Flower4Pwr]

Short backstory:
I'm going to be going back to school and *hopefully* participating in Fall '09 program. I'm going to be going to a community college and didn't know if they have any special requirements other than what Disney requires.

The message I got was something like this:

Yeah...umm...hi Sandy this is Ken calling from *insert school name here*. I don't have much information recarding the college program. We have had previous students participate before and they really didn't like it. However, if it's something you'd like to pursue, then please let me know and I'll see what I can help you with.

I appreciate his honesty but couldn't help but laugh. I think I will decide for myself, thank you very much!

You are right to make your own decision! You know what's right for you better than anyone! And I personally (and I know plenty of others who will agree with me!) think that the college program is an EXCELLENT way to network and start building a career with Disney! If you expect to come down and be a general manger within a year, you might be disappointed....but if you come down with an open mind, and ready to do hard work you will go far!!
Don't let anyone discourage you! Go for it!

 

[namara87]

That's funny. I had a similar experience with my advisor before my program. She just didn't understand why I would want to take a semester out of school to work at Disney World. And she kept stressing to me about all the past students who were not satisfied. Glad didn't listen to her....lol.

 

[fall08CP]

Same here.. a lot of advisors don't understand the program and many label it "cheap labor" for Disney, which in some ways it is.
I may not be getting much academically out of the program but I have come to terms with that and that's okay. I need a semester to get out of Michigan and find out what I want to do with my life!

 

[epfootballcutie04]

Dont waste your time talking with Ken! I go to the same community college as yoU!!!! SMALL WORLD! haha!

I talked with ken a few weeks ago and he was no help at all. He basically said I would not get credit for doing the program and that he sent one person down there TWELVE YEARS AGO and all they did was "stand around and take tickets"... i KNOW that's not the case!

We should meet up and talk about the program and tag team this school! No one seems to be really enthusiastic about it

 

[sandybobandy]

Thanks guys-if you could hear this man's voice, it's just like Ferris Bueller's teacher. Very dry and not much oompf behind it. Maybe you had to be there. lol

 

[joepic]

It always seems like all advisors don't want anyone doing the CP

 

[LittleMameido]

Yeah, I'm currently in a community college and spent a whole friggin day trying to find out information and advice about the program. Unfortunaly, not a single person knew where to point me...I eventually found an official figure who had at the least heard about the program. He told me, however, that the school couldn't offer credit, since it wasn't a 'real' college...aka, 4-year university. Thats okay with me, though. I'll take long-distance-learning classes a few at a time to earn credit.

It was above all else, frustrating! Go here, wait no go back there...wait, my mistake talk to this person here....etc.

^_^ I'm thrilled in any case....I bought me a digital camera to take photos of my soon-to-be experience!

 

[jeffwayne12]

I'm so glad that my univeristy is very encouraging about the program! They even had a campus rep on site here a week ago, and classes do transfer and many people have done it. Its sad to hear that some schools don't know much about it, but then again if your school dosn't transfer any of its courses I wouldn't reccomend it unless you wanted just a break.

 

[epfootballcutie04]

I'm so glad that my univeristy is very encouraging about the program! They even had a campus rep on site here a week ago, and classes do transfer and many people have done it. Its sad to hear that some schools don't know much about it, but then again if your school dosn't transfer any of its courses I wouldn't reccomend it unless you wanted just a break.

The reason I'm doing it is because It's been my dream to work for Disney since I first went to Disney and realized people like me could actually work at Disney! I want to network like crazy and eventually apply for the PI. My family is moving to Orlando next Summer and I eventually would love nothing more than to get a full time career with Disney and I think this is a great oppotunity to get my pinky toe in the door

Plus... I need a break from my awkwardly unenthusiastic school of mine. lol

Personally, I'm going for the experience and nothing else

 

[pocopenguin]

Same here.. a lot of advisors don't understand the program and many label it "cheap labor" for Disney, which in some ways it is.
I may not be getting much academically out of the program but I have come to terms with that and that's okay. I need a semester to get out of Michigan and find out what I want to do with my life!

i think everyone in the state of michigan needs to get out of michigan for awhile.
unfortunately, there's a large amount of people in michigan that think... michigan is the ONLY place in the world.
well........
they have another thing coming to them. what part of michigan are you from???


and btw, i have people who don't understand why i'm applying and so excited. they just... don't.... get it. but, i feel no need to defend myself because i know it's going to be a great experience (well..... hopefully ) and that it will benefit me in the long run.

 

[jeffwayne12]

The reason I'm doing it is because It's been my dream to work for Disney since I first went to Disney and realized people like me could actually work at Disney! I want to network like crazy and eventually apply for the PI. My family is moving to Orlando next Summer and I eventually would love nothing more than to get a full time career with Disney and I think this is a great oppotunity to get my pinky toe in the door

Plus... I need a break from my awkwardly unenthusiastic school of mine. lol

Personally, I'm going for the experience and nothing else

Sorry if my posted before seemed offensive at all, I didn't mean in it that way. If you are looking for a career with Disney then ya that is so awesome that your doing it! I'm in a similar position where I would like a professional career with the company after I complete college and I think this would be good to show them I have my interest.

 

[zulemara]

If you are looking for career opportunities and a chance to advance within the company and make a living for yourself, you will be disappointed.

whoa, not true! Disney was rated the #1 place to start a career by career weekly magazine. I also have a friend I met on the college program who went from a CP, to PI, to full time, to salaried, to an Imagineer...within 2 years! Now he flies around on the corporate Jet for training and has a company credit card along with a permanent fast pass that gets him on everything immediately.

When you are a CP, it is indeed difficult in terms of wages, but that all depends on how you spend your money. The other rep from my school went and came back with money because she decided not to go out or go to movies and just used as much free entertainment as possible. It is possible to save money, possible to break even, and possible to come back in debt depending on your choices.

Anyone looking for a career with Disney is getting a great start as a CP. Network with leaders, get your name out there, and opportunities will come knocking.

I know this was not "on topic" per say, but I can't let a statement like that go unanswered.

 

[CheshireSmile]

whoa, not true! Disney was rated the #1 place to start a career by career weekly magazine. I also have a friend I met on the college program who went from a CP, to PI, to full time, to salaried, to an Imagineer...within 2 years! Now he flies around on the corporate Jet for training and has a company credit card along with a permanent fast pass that gets him on everything immediately.

When you are a CP, it is indeed difficult in terms of wages, but that all depends on how you spend your money. The other rep from my school went and came back with money because she decided not to go out or go to movies and just used as much free entertainment as possible. It is possible to save money, possible to break even, and possible to come back in debt depending on your choices.

Anyone looking for a career with Disney is getting a great start as a CP. Network with leaders, get your name out there, and opportunities will come knocking.

I know this was not "on topic" per say, but I can't let a statement like that go unanswered.

Thank you so much for the positive comments! That is basically the reason I wanted to do the CP, and I got VERY nervous when I read the negative remarks! I know it takes work to network and get my name out there, but I'm willing to work, I just needed to know that it can actually lead somewhere! So a big thank you from me!

 

[zulemara]

Thank you so much for the positive comments! That is basically the reason I wanted to do the CP, and I got VERY nervous when I read the negative remarks! I know it takes work to network and get my name out there, but I'm willing to work, I just needed to know that it can actually lead somewhere! So a big thank you from me!

no problem! I will be going back in Jan 09 with an IT degree under my belt and looking to pursue opportunities in the company. Remember that Disney is not just WDW, it's ESPN, ABC, DL, and so much more! I would hope that a company that spans the globe would have a little opportunity in it

 

[Nicole429]

Yeah when I first told the head of major department, Chad (yes we call him by his first name), that I was considering the WDWCP, he was very negative about it. He said I was to good of a student to do it. He then told me there was another student who had done it 2 years ago and she hated it, so I should talk to her about it. When I did she said she loved it and she wishes she can go back but she has a great job here and she doesn't want to mess it up.

 

[epfootballcutie04]

I would like to thank the poster about her positive remarks as well! It irratates me when I hear such negative remarks about something because I'm the kind of person to go into everything with an open mind and i try to get positive out of every situation. I'm reallllllllly excited about this opportunity and I feel discouraged when people try to talk me out of it.

Oh well. The positive side about people talking smack about the program: It's one less person i'll have to compete against

 

[agnes!]

Dont waste your time talking with Ken! I go to the same community college as yoU!!!! SMALL WORLD! haha!

I talked with ken a few weeks ago and he was no help at all. He basically said I would not get credit for doing the program and that he sent one person down there TWELVE YEARS AGO and all they did was "stand around and take tickets"... i KNOW that's not the case!

We should meet up and talk about the program and tag team this school! No one seems to be really enthusiastic about it

Thanks guys-if you could hear this man's voice, it's just like Ferris Bueller's teacher. Very dry and not much oompf behind it. Maybe you had to be there. lol

Sounds like you two should become the WDW-CP campus reps .

agnes!

 

[kroberts]

Sorry to x-post this all over the place, but I thought you guys might be helpful.

Has anyone else had trouble convincing their administration/dean/whathaveyou to accept the Disney College Program as a valid internship worthy of some sort of credit (whether through your own school or a coordinating program)? I go to Smith College and they're making me jump through tons of flaming hoops to get approval (good thing I started on this way ahead of time--I'm hopefully going to be applying for the Spring '09 session). Any hints or suggestions on how to go about this?

And what sort of approval does Disney actually need from our school? Can we be technically enrolled but on a leave of absence to be in the program?